Gor Mahia go hunting in Thika as KPL resumes with mouth-watering midweek fixtures

By Tony Anelka

GOR MAHIA TEAM-OKENDO

Quite a busy day it will on Wednesday the 16th of October 2013 as all the 16 teams in the Kenyan top tier football league square it off in eight matches lined up for round 26 of the season.  

Thika United v Gor Mahia (Thika-3pm)

Focus will be no doubt on Gor Mahia as they travelled to take on Thika United at the Thika municipal stadium.  It is expected to be an entertaining match as the league leaders take on the league pacesetters (Thika United) who are rolling down the table negatively after a very good start of the season.

The fixture comes at a time when the football federation is expected to give a final verdict on the pending ruling on the abandoned Sony v Gor match.  

Western Stima v AFC Leopards (Mumias-3pm)

AFC Leopards go into this match after strolling past Karuturi Sports in GoTV clash over the weekend.  Indeed, Leopards are in good form after winning four matches back to back under their caretaker coach James Nandwa. Western Stima is placed 11th on the table and is struggling to seal a place in the top eight.  

Sofapaka v Chemelil Sugar (City Stadium-2pm)

In their quest to reduce the gap between them and league leaders, Sofapaka desperately need to win against Chemelil Sugar who recently beat Thika United 2-0. The Sugar men are keen to finish in top eight and so, the match will not be easy for ‘Batoto ba mungu’ 

Tusker v Mathare United (Kasarani-4pm)

Hopes for Tusker to win the title faded off but they have a chance to finish in the top three when they take on stubborn Mathare United who are well known for draws. Mathare United are not safe on the log and they are expected to give Matano’s boys a run for their money.    

Bandari v Homeboyz (Mbaraki-3pm)

Another tough outing for relegation candidates – Homeboyz, as they travel to one of the unfamiliar grounds to face Bandari at Mbaraki.  The coast-based team is looking for a place in the top five and so Homeboyz should expect a not so easy match in their struggle to remain afloat. 

Nairobi City Stars v Karuturi (Kasarani-2pm)

City stars have been at position 10 on the log for a long time and with the remaining matches and the gap between the bottom teams, they are not safe and a win against the struggling Karuturi will keep their survival hopes alive. Karuturi will want to prove appoint to other teams by putting up a fierce fight in the remaining five matches and so City stars should expect some good match.  

KCB v Sony Sugar (City-4pm)

KCB will take on the in-form Sony Sugar in what is expected to be another tough encounter of the day. Sony are in the semifinals of GoTv Cup while KCB are well placed in top five on the KPL log and that is an indication of a grueling match between the two sides. 

Muhoroni Youth v Ulinzi Stars (Muhoroni-3pm)

For this season, no title hopes for the soldiers but finishing the league on a high note will be top of their priorities as they face Muhoroni Youth at Muhoroni grounds. A tricky fixture it will be as Muhoroni are fighting relegation and a win in this fixture will give them a lifeline to survive.